Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has disclosed that the government has allocated 12 vehicles for the daily use of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, exceeding the entitlements outlined in the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act 2003.
The act ensures substantial retirement benefits for former heads of state, including a staff of over 30, luxury vehicles, unlimited health insurance, and an international travel allowance for up to four trips annually, each limited to two weeks and delegations of up to 10 members.
At a press conference on Friday, Mwaura explained that the government has provided more than what is stipulated by law. “The third retired president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is by law entitled to four vehicles at the expense of the state, whereas the former first lady, Her Excellency Mama Ngina Kenyatta, is entitled to half the benefits of a retired president as a spouse to a former head of state,” Mwaura stated.
However, the government has allocated 12 vehicles to the Kenyattas, which is at least five more than the legal stipulation. The fleet includes two Toyota Land Cruisers with 4,000cc engines, one Mercedes Benz with a 5,000cc engine, four Toyota Prados with 2,700cc engines, and two Range Rovers with 4,200cc engines. Additionally, they have two Range Rovers with 5,000cc engines and one Subaru Forester with a 2,000cc engine.
“These vehicles are fully fueled and maintained by the government. The former president has been issued four fuel cards, and Her Excellency Mama Ngina Kenyatta has three fuel cards to facilitate the fueling of their vehicles,” Mwaura said.
Mwaura also noted that the government handles repairs and maintenance for the vehicles used by the former president and first lady upon request. “In the 2023/2024 financial year, the office requested service and maintenance for four motor vehicles, all of which were approved and facilitated,” he added.
These revelations follow claims by former State House spokesperson Kanze Dena that Uhuru Kenyatta has been forced to cover some expenses out of his own pocket, including staff payments. Dena stated that many legal entitlements have been disregarded in a “blatant” violation of the law. “The truth is that we [Uhuru’s office] are not being facilitated,” Dena told the Star. She also mentioned that State House has refused to renew contracts for staff attached to Uhuru, including her own.
